The Devil's little Bride

Chapter Two

The last couple months had gone by two fast no matter how much I wanted time to slow to give me more time to prepare. Only two days until my engagement party. Mother was busy ordering servants around and making sure the house was spotless and nothing went wrong. It wasn’t even a bug celebration. Only our family, Lucifer’s family and the families of the respective heads of the six kingdoms of Britannia and the twelve that made up the Blood Imperium.

Tamacti said it was for safety reasons. The truce was still too fresh to risk a gathering of hundreds of guests.

I wished they’d cancel altogether for all I cared, I didn’t have to meet Lucifer until the day of our wedding. Matteo jumped up and down on my bed, a pout on his face. He was only four and had entirely too much energy. “I want to play”!

“Mother doesn’t want you to race through the house. Everything needs to be perfect for the guest”.

“But they aren’t even here”. Thank God. Lucifer and the rest of the Imperium guest would arrive tomorrow. Only one more night until I’d be meeting my future husband, a merciless demon who split the skulls of hundreds with his hands. I closed my eyes.

“Are you crying again?” Matteo hopped off the bed and walked up to me slipping his hands into mine. His light shade of silver hair was a horrid mess. I tried to smooth it down but Matteo jerked his head away.

“What do you mean?” I’d tried to hide my tears from him. Mostly I cried at night when I was protected by darkness.

“Emily says you cry all the time because Lucifer has bought you”.

I froze. I’d have to tell Emily to stop saying such things. It would only get me in trouble.

“He didn’t buy me”. “Liar, Liar”.

“Same difference”, Gia said from the doorway startling me.

“Shh…what if father hears us?”

Gia shrugged. “He knows that I hate how he sold you like a cow.

“Gia”, I warned nodding towards Matteo. He peered up at me.” I don’t want you to leave”. He whispered.

“I’m not leaving for a long time, Matteo”. He seemed satisfied with my answer and the worry faded away from his face replaced with his up-to-no good expression. “Catch me”! He screamed and stormed of, pushing Gianna aside as he drifted past her.

Gianna tore after him “I’ll kick your ass, you little runt!”

I rushed into the corridor. Emily poked her head out of her door and then she to ran after my brother and sister. Mother would have my head if they smashed another Family heirloom. I flew down the stairs. Matteo was still in the lead. He was fast but Emily had almost caught up to him while Gia and I were to slow in the high heels mother had forced us to wear for practice.

Matteo dashed into the corridor leading into the West wing of the palace and the rest of us followed.

I wanted to shoot at him to stop father’s office was in this part of the house. We’d be into much trouble if he caught us playing around. Matteo was supposed to act like a man. What five-year-old acted like a man?

We passed father’s door and relief washed over m, but then three men rounded the corner at the end of the corridor. I parted my lips to shout a warning but I was too late. Matteo skidded to a halt but Emily ran into the man in the middle with full force. Most people would have lost their balance, most people weren’t six foot five and built like a bull.

I jerked to a halt as time seemed to grind to a stop around me. Gianna gasped beside me, but my gaze was frozen in my future husband. He was looking down at the dark silver head of my little sister, steadying herewith his strong hands. Hands he used to split the skulls of humans.

“Emily”! I said my voice shrill with fear. I wished I was better at hiding my fear. Now everyone was staring at me, including Lucifer. His obsidian eyes scanned me from head to toe lingering on my hair.

God, he was tall. The men beside him were both six feet but he dwarfed them. His hands were still on Emily’s shoulders. “Emily come here”. I said firmly holding out a hand. I wanted her far away from Lucifer. She stumbled backward, then flew into my arm, burying her face against my shoulder. Lucifer raised one of his Hades-black eyebrow.

“That’s Lucifer Dilhvea”! Gianna said helpfully, not even bothering to hide her disgust. Matteo made a sound like an enraged wild cat and stormed toward Luca, and started pummeling his legs and stomach with his, small fist. “Leave Elizabeth alone! You don’t get her”!

My heart stopped right there. The demon to Lucifer’s right side took a step forward. The outline of a dagger was visible under his vest. There was mild resemblance between them.

“No, Caspian”., Lucifer said simply and the demon stilled. Lucifer caught my brother’s hands in one of hi, stopping the assault. I doubted he’d even felt the blows. I pushed Emily toward Gianna who wrapped her arms around her, then I approached Lucifer.

I was scared out of my mind but I needed to get Matteo away from him. Maybe Britannia and the Imperium were trying to lay their feud to rest, but alliances could break in a blink. It wouldn’t be the first time. Lucifer and his men were still the enemy.

“What a warm welcome we get. That’s the infamous hospitality of the Silva’s ”, Said the other man with Luca; he had the same black hair as Lucifer and Caspian but his eyes were lighter. He was a couple inches smaller than Lucifer and not as broad, but it was unmistakable that they were brothers.

“Levi” Lucifer said in a low voice that made me shiver. Matteo was still snarling and struggling like a wild anima, but Lucifer held him at arm-length.

“Matteo”, I said firmly, gripping his upper arm. “Its enough. That’s not how we treat guests.”

Matteo froze, then gazed up at me over his shoulder. “He’s not a guest. He wants to steal you away, Elizabeth”.

Levi chuckled. “This is too good. I’m glad Father convinced me to come.”

“Ordered you,” Lucifer corrected, but he didn’t take his eyes off of me. I couldn’t return his gaze. My cheeks blazer with heat and scrutiny. My father and his bodyguards made sure that Gia, Emily and I weren’t around men very often, and the ones he let near us were either family or ancient. Lucifer was neither family, nor old. He was only five years older than me, but he looked like a man and made me feel like a small girl in comparison.

Lucifer let go of Matteo and I pulled him toward me, his back against my legs. I folded my hands over his small heaving chest. He didn’t stop glaring at Lucifer. I wished I had his courage but he was a boy, an heir to my father’s title and Britannia’s throne. He wouldn’t be forced to obey anyone, except for the King. He could afford courage.

“I’m sorry,” I said, even if the words tasted foul. “My brother didn’t mean to be disrespectful”

“I did!” Fabiano shouted. I covered his mouth with my palm and he squirmed in my hold but I didn’t let him go.

“Don’t apologize,” Gia said sharply, ignoring the warning look I shot her. “It’s not our fault that he and his bodyguards take up so much room in the corridor. At least, Matteo speaks the truth. Everyone else thinks they need to blow sugar up his ass because he’s going to be King—”

“Gia!” My voice was like a whip. She snapped her lips shut, staring at me with wide eyes. “Take Emily and Matteo to their rooms. Now.”

“But—” She glanced behind me. I was glad I couldn’t see Lucifer’s expression.

“Now!”

She grabbed Matteo’s hand and dragged him and Lily away. I didn’t think my first encounter with my future husband could possibly have gone any worse. Bracing myself, I faced him and his men I expected to be greeted by fury, but I found a smirk on Lucifer’s face instead. My cheeks were rosy red with embarrassment, and now that I was alone with three men, nerves twisted my stomach. Mother would freak out of she found out I wasn’t dressed up for my first meeting with Luca. I was wearing one of my favourite hoodies that reached my elbows, and I was silently glad for the protection all the fabric offered me. I folded my arms in front of my body, unsure of what to do. “I apologize for my sister and brother. They are—” I struggled for a word other than rude.

“Protective of you,” Luca said simply. His voice was even, deep, emotionless. These are my brother’s Caspian and Levi.”

Levi’s lips were pulled into a wide grin. I was glad he didn’t try to take my hands. I didn’t think I could have kept my composure if either of them moved any closer.

I focused on Lucifer’s chin and hoped it appeared as if I was looking at his eyes. I took a step back. “I should go to my siblings.”

Lucifer had a knowing expression on his face but I didn’t care if he saw how uncomfortable, how scared he made me. Not waiting for him to excuse me—he wasn’t my husband nor my fiancé yet—I turned and quickly walked off, proud that I hadn’t given in to the urge to run.

***

Mother tugged at the dress Father had chosen for the occasion. For the meat show, as Gia had called it. No matter how much mother tugged though, the dress didn’t get any longer. I stared at myself in the mirror uncertainly. I’d never worn anything that revealing. The blue sleeved dress was clinging to my butt and waist, and ended at my upper thighs. “I can’t wear that, mother.”

My mother met my gaze in the mirror. Her hair was pinned up; it was a few shades darker than mine. She was wearing a floor-length elegant dress. I wished I was allowed something that modest. “You look like a woman,” She whispered.

I cringed. “I looked like a hooker.”

“Hookers can’t afford a dress like that”.

Father’s mistress had clothes that cost more than some people spent on a car. Mother put her hands on my waist “You have a wasp waist, and the dress makes your legs look very long. I’m sure Lucifer will appreciate it”.

I stared down at my cleavage. I had small breasts, even the push-up effect of a bustier couldn’t change that. I was a sixteen-year-old dressed up to look like a woman.

“Here”. Mother handed me five-inch black heels. Maybe I’d reach Lucifer’s chin when I wore them. I slipped into them. Mother forced a fake smile onto her face and smoother down my long hair. “Hold your head high. Your grandfather called you the most beautiful woman in Britannia. Show Luca and his entourage that you are more beautiful than all the women in the Imperium. After all, Lucifer’s knows almost all of them”. The way she said it I was sure she’d read the articles about Lucifer’s conquests as well, or maybe Father had told her something

“Mother,” I said hesitantly, but she stepped back. “Now go. I’ll come after you, but this is your day. You should enter the room alone. The men will be waiting. Your father will present you to Lucifer then we’ll all come together in the dining roomfor dinner “. She’d told me this dozen of times already .

For a moment, I wanted to take her hand and beg her to accompany me; instead I turned and walked out of my room. I was glad that my mother had forced me to wear heels in the last few weeks. When I arrived in front of the door to the fireplace lounge on the first floor in the west wing, my heart beat was beating in my throat. I wished Gia was at my side, but mother was probably warning her to behave right now. I had to go through this alone. Nobody was supposed to steal the show from the bride-to-be.

I stared at the bluish crystals of the door and considered running away. Male laughter rang out behind it, my father and my grandfather. A room filled with the most powerful and dangerous men in the world and I was supposed to go in. A lamb alone with wolves. I shook my head. I needed to stop thinking like that. I’d made them wait too long already.

I gripped the handle and pressed down. I slipped in, not yet looking at anyone as I closed the doors Gathering my courage, I faced the room. Conversion died. Was I supposed to say something? I shivered And hopes they couldn’t need it. My father looked like the cat that got the cream. My eyes sought Lucifer and his piercing stare rendered me motionless. I held my breath. He put down a glass with a dark liquid with an audible clank. If nobody said something soon, I’d flee the room. I quickly scanned the faces of the gathered men. From the Imperium they were Caspian, Levi, Lucifer and Devani Dilhvea, and two other bodyguards. From Britannia there were my Father, Fyodor Silva, as well as Tamacti and my cousin Allucard whom I was once betroth too and hated with the fiery passion of a million suns. And beside Father stood Matteo, who had to wear a black suit like everyone else. I could see that he wanted to run toward me to seek solace, but he knew what Father would say to that.

Father finally moved toward me, put a hand on my back and led me toward the gathered men like a lamb toward s*******r. The only man who looked positively bored out of his was Caspian. His watchful eyes continually scanned the room, what was he waiting for? We didn’t have assassins stashed in secret trap doors.

Of course Father steered me straight Broward my future husband with a challenging expression as if he expected Lucifer to fall on his knees in awe. Going from his expression, Lucifer might as well have been staring at a rocky His obsidian eyes were hard and cold as they focused on my father.

“This is my daughter Elizabeth”.

Apparently, Lucifer hadn’t mentioned our embarrassing encounter. My grandfather spoke up. I didn’t promise too much did I “?

I wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole. I had never submitted so much …. Attention. The way Allucard looked at me made my skin crawl. His father was King of Camelot, one of the six kingdoms of Britannia, which gave him an excuse to be here. He’d been initiated as a male of the house of Silva and had turned eighteen two weeks ago. Since then he'd been even more obnoxious than before.

“You didn’t”. Lucifer replied simply.

Father look obviously annoyed. Without anyone noticing Matteo had snuck behind me and slipped his hand into mine. Well, Lucifer had noticed and was staring at my brother, which brought his gaze entirely too close to my naked thighs. I shifted nervously and Lucifer looked away.

“Maybe the future bride and husband want to be left alone for a few minutes?” Devai Dilhvea suggested. My eyes jerked in his direction and I didn’t manage to hide my shock fast enough. Lucifer had noticed but he didn’t seem to care.

My father smiled and turned to leave. I couldn’t believe it.

“Should I stay?” Umberto asked. I gave him a quick smile, which disappeared when my father shook his head. “Give them a few minutes alone,” He said. Devani Dilhvea actually winked at Lucifer. They all filed out until only Lucifer, Matteo and I were Left.

“Matteo,” came my father’s sharp voice m “Get out of there now,”

Matteo reluctantly let go of my hand and he left, but not before sending Lucifer the deadliest look a five-year old could manage. Lucifer’s lips quirked. Then the door closed and we were alone. What had Lucifer’s father’s wink meant?

I peeked up at Lucifer. I had been right: with my high heels the top of my head grazed his chin. He looked out of the window. He didn’t spare me a single glance. Dressing me up like a hooker didn’t make Lucifer any more interested in me. Why would he be? I’d seen the women he was with in the photos. They would have filled out the bustier better.

“Did you choose the dress?”

I jumped, started that he’d spoken. His voice was deep and calm. Was he ever anything but? “No,” I admitted. “My father did.”

Lucifer’s jaw twitched. I couldn’t read him and it was making me increasingly nervous. He reached into the inside of his jacket and for a ridiculous second I actually thought he was pulling a blade on me. Instead he held a black box in his hand. He turned towards me and I stared intently at his black shirt. Black shirt, black tie, black jacket. Black like his soul.

This was a moment millions of women dreamed off, but I felt cold when Luca opened the box. Inside sat a white gold ring with a bug diamond in the centre sandwiched between two marginally smaller diamonds. I didn’t move.

Luca held out his hand when the awkwardness between bus reached it’s peak. I flushed and extended my hand. I flinched when his skin brushed mine. He slipped the engagement ring on my finger, then released me.

“Thank you,” I felt obligated to say the words and even look up to his face, which was impassive, though the same couldn’t be said for his. They looked furious. Had I done something wrong? He held out his arm and I linked mine through it letting him lead me out of the lounge and toward the dining room. We didn’t speak. Maybe Lucifer was disappointed enough that he’d cancel the arrangement? But he wouldn’t have put the ring in my finger if that were the case.

When we stepped into the dining room, the women of my family had joined the men. The Dilhveas hadn’t brought female company. Maybe because they didn’t trust my father enough to risk bringing women into our palace.

I couldn’t blame them. I wouldn’t trust my father or his either. Lucifer dropped his arm and I quickly joined my mother and sisters, who pretended to admire my ring. Gianna have me a look. I didn’t know what my mother had threatened her with to keep her silent. I could tell Gianna had a blistering comment on the tip of her tongue. I shook my head and she rolled her eyes. Dinner was a blur. The men discussed business while we women remained quiet. My eyes kept drifting toward the ring on my finger. It felt t

oo heavy, too tight, entirely too much. A symbol that I was his possession.